Migrants moving into Southeast Asia has increased dramatically over the last few decades, simultaneously, bringing an immense change, both politically and economically, to the region.
Increased rate of migrants to Thailand every year
Labour Migration
Thailand, considered the most developed country in the region with its newly flourishing business, attracts massive number of migrants. Thailand's per capita GDP is twelve times higher than Myanmar' s which is $151. Even compared to over neighboring countries, Thailand's per capita GDP is significantly higher - Cambodia has a per capita GDP of $270, and Lao PDR $ 330. An estimated of two million migrant workers in Thailand are from Myanmar, Cambodia and Lao PDR. These migrant workers are usually occupied in Thailand's fishery, agricultural, manufacturing, construction, and service branches. Countless numbers of factories and industries are built on the borderline of Thailand so it could make more profit from even cheaper foreign labors. However, short history of official labour migration led to an unfortunate increase of human trafficking and smuggling. 1.2 Burmese migrant workers stay in Thailand for a long time because many of them don't have any potential i their land, however, others with better circumstances come to Thailand only seasonally. In fact, many Lao workers arrive in Thailand in December and leave after only a few months, coming at the harvest times only.
Irregular migration is a common issue
Irregular Migration
However, like mentioned before, high level of irregular migration is the key characteristics of Southeast Asia migration movement. Over 30 - 40% of the migrants move through illegal channels, thus, increasing the rate of human trafficking and smuggling. Malaysia and Thailand are the two important countries where most migration takes place in. It is estimated to be over three million migrants have migrated illegally and annually 200,000 to 450,000 human trafficking takes place. Despite such danger, the push factors of these migrants are poverty, hope for an economic development, lack of education and job opportunities, traditional migration patterns and trend, and also the lack of recognition about the danger of irregular migration. The pull factors of these migrant workers, something they are attracted by Thailand and Malaysia, include fishing boats, construction sites, domestics in family homes and prostitution.
Medical treatment given to a child
Migrating Issues
One of the biggest problems fro the migrants are health issues. Their migration movement is risking chances of poverty, vulnerability to sexual abuse, dangerous work environments, inability to access basic preventative health services such as vaccination, and also separation from former social life. The filthy environment, such as no access to clean water and toilets, it causes young children to become ill, often leading up to under-nutrition that prevents the children from maturing fully physically and mentally.
South Pacific Migration
The beginning of the South Pacific migration started from South China about 30,000 years ago to the unpopulated south sea islands. Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Island were first occupied when the people from South China went to Indonesia first, then later stretched farther out to it. Many islands of South Pacific were established in a very similar fashion as PNG and Solomon Island. People of the islands had nothing to start with. THey had no navigating skills, but somehow went to Australia from Southeast Asia. From there the people scattered to different directions, many leading to the islands of Melanesia.
Laptia Migration
Around 1500BC, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji started to become inhabited. At the time, people from South China came up with better craftsmanship, such as bigger boats, proper navigating sails and with advanced agricultural techniques and warfare. The Chinese brought spread the ideas and they also had Laptia (Chinese fine art pottery with white dots on the rim and the top) with them when they traveled, spreading the idea of their pottery. This made the migration to be called the Laptia Migration. Some continued on with the Laptia Migration, even reaching further east to settle in places like Samoa and Togs. Melanesians and the people of PNG later joined the Laptia Migration and dominated most of Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji. The Laptia Migration is the second major migration that happened in South pacific.
Polynesian Triangle, Micronesia, Melanesia
Polynesian Triangle
Migration did not end here. The Laptia Migration further stretched out to Rotuma, Samoa, Tonga. At around 200BC Laptia Migration even reached open waters to places such as Cook Island, to the far east, Easter Island, to the far north, Hawaii. At around 900AD, New Zealand in the far north and all the small islands around it and on the way began to be colonized. This migration have created a specific district called Polynesian Triangle. The Polynesians and Melanesians migrated north and east for countless number of times. However, when they did go to the north and the east islands of South Pacific, most of them were already occupied by Philippines.
The South China first had their migration across Pacific waters to trade, conquer, find new land and property, and to have a safe place for a home. Many died, however, unable to find land in the middle of ocean, or in big storms. Some even came from Chile and Peru in South America. However, by the time Europe reached the South Pacific, It was already after numerous migration happened. They traveled through trade, warfare and sometimes inter-marriage.
Current Trend in South Pacific
The current migration crisis happening in South Pacific is that about 500 skilled people leave Fiji monthly, looking for other places to settle in. Not only Fiji, but other islanders migrate to the rim of the Pacific, to places such as Australia and New Zealand. The push factors can be seen as worsening economy: unemployment, scarce salary from jobs, natural disasters, instability of the country. Cook Island is no exception for this phenomenon. The pull factors of New Zealand that appeal to the Cook Islanders would the free entry given by the political arrangement of internal self-government. According to the UNFPA report, 70,000 people who were born in Fiji were living in some other countries. about 44,000 of these 70,000 were in Australia, 25,000 in New Zealand. In addition, more than 50% of population of Samoa, Tonga, Cook Island, Tokelauans, Niuean are migrating, leaving the country.
Map of South Pacific
The migrants are mostly young, healthy skilled people such as nurses, doctors, engineers, teachers, etc. that the country needs. This migration trend is seriously affecting the islands of South Pacifc. Due to this thinning out population from migration, the countries are showing a slow absence even for the basic services, such as health care, education, clean water. Some are even in the danger of subsiding. Even in an economic perspective, it's a big problem.
Economic Impact
Since 2000 May, Fiji lost more than 35,000 teachers, and other people of skilled jobs. Their loss of 35,000 quality people equals more than the loss of 25 million US dollars annually. Although many migrants send money back to their islands back to their homes, for a country's economy to be relied on remittances is not a good idea. In 2005, 186 million dollars of remittances were sent to Fiji, which made Fiji the second largest foreign exchange earner in the work. 200 million dollars of remittances were sent to Tonga as well, which 31% of its GDP. 116 million dollars were sent to Samoans as well, counting the money that's just from New Zealand and Australia. This is 29.7 % of its GDP. The countries are worried with the intensified dependence on the remittances economically every year. This is because remittances are not always reliable, and often times, it is only first generation that have stronger bonds with home that keep sending money. The dramatic decrease of remittances every year is inevitable as the generations change.
Social Impact
Cook Islands environmentalist, Imogen Ingram said, "Only a few Cook Islanders still know which trees are the best for building the voyaging canoes, and how to construct the canoe hulls." A major problem in Cook Island is also its loss of culture. There are now less people growing tradition crops such as taro. People are just buying imported food because it's a lot easier to eat, and the national diet is being changed. This change in diet increased the rate of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. In addition, many children are left behind when the adults migrate, causing many children growing up without a parent. Around 1000 ex-Fijian soldiers are now working in the U.S. as caregivers or domestic helpers. The pull factors are the money they earn, almost five times of what they earn back home. Many are fighting in the Iraq war, and around 13 have died so far. Krishna, the USP accountant says, "the pull from friends and family who are already in Australia is strong." he hopes that his mother and sister will later follow his path of settling down in Australia.
Works Cited
Appleyard, R.T. , and Charles W. Stahl. "South Pacific Migration: New Zealand experience and implications for Australia ." AusAID: The Australian Government's overseas aid program. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2009. <http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pubout.cfm?ID=8165_7236_7411_7877_643>.
Kaur, Amarjit . "International Labour Migration in Southeast Asia: Governance of Migration and Women Domestic Workers." Intersections: Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Pacific. Carolyn Brewer, 15 Mar. 2007. Web. 4 Nov. 2009. <http://intersections.anu.edu.au/issue15/kaur.htm>.
Naidu, Vijay . "Current Trends in South Pacific Migration - APMRN Working Paper 7." UNESCO - Homepage | unesco.org | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. APMRN Secretariat , n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2009. <http://www.unesco.org/most/apmrpap7.htm>.
Singh, Shailendra. "SOUTH PACIFIC: Island Populations Thinning Out From Migration - IPS ipsnews.net." IPS Inter Press Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2009. <http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=36038>.
Thailand, considered the most developed country in the region with its newly flourishing business, attracts massive number of migrants. Thailand's per capita GDP is twelve times higher than Myanmar' s which is $151. Even compared to over neighboring countries, Thailand's per capita GDP is significantly higher - Cambodia has a per capita GDP of $270, and Lao PDR $ 330. An estimated of two million migrant workers in Thailand are from Myanmar, Cambodia and Lao PDR. These migrant workers are usually occupied in Thailand's fishery, agricultural, manufacturing, construction, and service branches. Countless numbers of factories and industries are built on the borderline of Thailand so it could make more profit from even cheaper foreign labors. However, short history of official labour migration led to an unfortunate increase of human trafficking and smuggling. 1.2 Burmese migrant workers stay in Thailand for a long time because many of them don't have any potential i their land, however, others with better circumstances come to Thailand only seasonally. In fact, many Lao workers arrive in Thailand in December and leave after only a few months, coming at the harvest times only.
Irregular Migration
However, like mentioned before, high level of irregular migration is the key characteristics of Southeast Asia migration movement. Over 30 - 40% of the migrants move through illegal channels, thus, increasing the rate of human trafficking and smuggling. Malaysia and Thailand are the two important countries where most migration takes place in. It is estimated to be over three million migrants have migrated illegally and annually 200,000 to 450,000 human trafficking takes place. Despite such danger, the push factors of these migrants are poverty, hope for an economic development, lack of education and job opportunities, traditional migration patterns and trend, and also the lack of recognition about the danger of irregular migration. The pull factors of these migrant workers, something they are attracted by Thailand and Malaysia, include fishing boats, construction sites, domestics in family homes and prostitution.
Migrating Issues
One of the biggest problems fro the migrants are health issues. Their migration movement is risking chances of poverty, vulnerability to sexual abuse, dangerous work environments, inability to access basic preventative health services such as vaccination, and also separation from former social life. The filthy environment, such as no access to clean water and toilets, it causes young children to become ill, often leading up to under-nutrition that prevents the children from maturing fully physically and mentally.
South Pacific Migration
The beginning of the South Pacific migration started from South China about 30,000 years ago to the unpopulated south sea islands. Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Island were first occupied when the people from South China went to Indonesia first, then later stretched farther out to it. Many islands of South Pacific were established in a very similar fashion as PNG and Solomon Island. People of the islands had nothing to start with. THey had no navigating skills, but somehow went to Australia from Southeast Asia. From there the people scattered to different directions, many leading to the islands of Melanesia.
Laptia Migration
Around 1500BC, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji started to become inhabited. At the time, people from South China came up with better craftsmanship, such as bigger boats, proper navigating sails and with advanced agricultural techniques and warfare. The Chinese brought spread the ideas and they also had Laptia (Chinese fine art pottery with white dots on the rim and the top) with them when they traveled, spreading the idea of their pottery. This made the migration to be called the Laptia Migration. Some continued on with the Laptia Migration, even reaching further east to settle in places like Samoa and Togs. Melanesians and the people of PNG later joined the Laptia Migration and dominated most of Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji. The Laptia Migration is the second major migration that happened in South pacific.
Polynesian Triangle
Migration did not end here. The Laptia Migration further stretched out to Rotuma, Samoa, Tonga. At around 200BC Laptia Migration even reached open waters to places such as Cook Island, to the far east, Easter Island, to the far north, Hawaii. At around 900AD, New Zealand in the far north and all the small islands around it and on the way began to be colonized. This migration have created a specific district called Polynesian Triangle. The Polynesians and Melanesians migrated north and east for countless number of times. However, when they did go to the north and the east islands of South Pacific, most of them were already occupied by Philippines.
The South China first had their migration across Pacific waters to trade, conquer, find new land and property, and to have a safe place for a home. Many died, however, unable to find land in the middle of ocean, or in big storms. Some even came from Chile and Peru in South America. However, by the time Europe reached the South Pacific, It was already after numerous migration happened. They traveled through trade, warfare and sometimes inter-marriage.
Current Trend in South Pacific
The current migration crisis happening in South Pacific is that about 500 skilled people leave Fiji monthly, looking for other places to settle in. Not only Fiji, but other islanders migrate to the rim of the Pacific, to places such as Australia and New Zealand. The push factors can be seen as worsening economy: unemployment, scarce salary from jobs, natural disasters, instability of the country. Cook Island is no exception for this phenomenon. The pull factors of New Zealand that appeal to the Cook Islanders would the free entry given by the political arrangement of internal self-government. According to the UNFPA report, 70,000 people who were born in Fiji were living in some other countries. about 44,000 of these 70,000 were in Australia, 25,000 in New Zealand. In addition, more than 50% of population of Samoa, Tonga, Cook Island, Tokelauans, Niuean are migrating, leaving the country.
The migrants are mostly young, healthy skilled people such as nurses, doctors, engineers, teachers, etc. that the country needs. This migration trend is seriously affecting the islands of South Pacifc. Due to this thinning out population from migration, the countries are showing a slow absence even for the basic services, such as health care, education, clean water. Some are even in the danger of subsiding. Even in an economic perspective, it's a big problem.
Economic Impact
Since 2000 May, Fiji lost more than 35,000 teachers, and other people of skilled jobs. Their loss of 35,000 quality people equals more than the loss of 25 million US dollars annually. Although many migrants send money back to their islands back to their homes, for a country's economy to be relied on remittances is not a good idea. In 2005, 186 million dollars of remittances were sent to Fiji, which made Fiji the second largest foreign exchange earner in the work. 200 million dollars of remittances were sent to Tonga as well, which 31% of its GDP. 116 million dollars were sent to Samoans as well, counting the money that's just from New Zealand and Australia. This is 29.7 % of its GDP. The countries are worried with the intensified dependence on the remittances economically every year. This is because remittances are not always reliable, and often times, it is only first generation that have stronger bonds with home that keep sending money. The dramatic decrease of remittances every year is inevitable as the generations change.
Social Impact
Cook Islands environmentalist, Imogen Ingram said, "Only a few Cook Islanders still know which trees are the best for building the voyaging canoes, and how to construct the canoe hulls." A major problem in Cook Island is also its loss of culture. There are now less people growing tradition crops such as taro. People are just buying imported food because it's a lot easier to eat, and the national diet is being changed. This change in diet increased the rate of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. In addition, many children are left behind when the adults migrate, causing many children growing up without a parent. Around 1000 ex-Fijian soldiers are now working in the U.S. as caregivers or domestic helpers. The pull factors are the money they earn, almost five times of what they earn back home. Many are fighting in the Iraq war, and around 13 have died so far. Krishna, the USP accountant says, "the pull from friends and family who are already in Australia is strong." he hopes that his mother and sister will later follow his path of settling down in Australia.
Works Cited
Appleyard, R.T. , and Charles W. Stahl. "South Pacific Migration: New Zealand experience and implications for Australia ." AusAID: The Australian Government's overseas aid program. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2009. <http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pubout.cfm?ID=8165_7236_7411_7877_643>.
Jowitt, Anita. "Reconceptualising Labour Markets." Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute - Pacific Law. PacLII, n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2009. <http://www.paclii.org/journals/fJSPL/vol06/4.shtml>.
Kaur, Amarjit . "International Labour Migration in Southeast Asia: Governance of Migration and Women Domestic Workers." Intersections: Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Pacific. Carolyn Brewer, 15 Mar. 2007. Web. 4 Nov. 2009. <http://intersections.anu.edu.au/issue15/kaur.htm>.
Naidu, Vijay . "Current Trends in South Pacific Migration - APMRN Working Paper 7." UNESCO - Homepage | unesco.org | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. APMRN Secretariat , n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2009. <http://www.unesco.org/most/apmrpap7.htm>.
Singh, Shailendra. "SOUTH PACIFIC: Island Populations Thinning Out From Migration - IPS ipsnews.net." IPS Inter Press Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2009. <http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=36038>.
"Southeast Asia - Migration News." Migration Dialogue. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2009. <http://migration.ucdavis.edu/mn/more.php?id=3260_0_3_0>.
Walsh, John. "Migration in Southeast Asia ." Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers' Network . N.p., 6 July 2004. Web. 4 Nov. 2009.
<http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/east_asian_history/109701>.
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